Mechanical time delay product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A product dispensing apparatus that dispenses feminine products. This machine functions by having two pushbuttons on the front of the cabinet which when pushed, force a feminine product onto the release tray for a user to reach. Inside the cabinet is a time delay mechanically operated system that allows the operator of the invention to control the amount of time between allowable release of products. The operator of the machine can control the amount of time from a minimum of one (1) second between allowable release to thirty (30) seconds between allowable release.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vending machines that dispense feminineproducts. Specifically, this invention relates to pushbuttonmechanically operated machines that dispense feminine products.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are coin drop mechanisms and coin-operated release machines invarious forms in the prior art. These previous inventions vary insophistication and efforts to prevent against theft, weather conditions,and durability. Numerous inventions within the prior art prevent fraudby having complex electronic or mechanical schemes to authenticatecurrency. Other less complex coin drop mechanisms or coin-operatedrelease machines require the user to rotate a handle by twisting arotatable lever. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiresoperable parts of fixed elements to not require the user to tightlygrasp, pinch, or twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds of force(lbf) to operate.

The following two (2) patents are relevant to the present invention:

1. U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,779 issued to James G. Horian on Dec. 30, 2008for “Coin Drop Mechanism” (hereafter “the Horian 2008 Patent”);

2. U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,513 issued to James G. Horian on May 31, 2011 for“Coin Drop Mechanism” (hereafter the “Horian 2011 Patent”); and

The products disclosed in the above two (2) patents are not in fullcompliance with the AD. Therefore, there is a significant need for animproved product dispensing machine over the prior art that is incompliance with the ADA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a product dispensing machine that dispensesfeminine products. This machine functions by having two pushbuttons onthe front of the cabinet that operate by being pushed, to force afeminine product onto a release tray for a user easily grasp and removethe feminine product. Inside each cabinet is a mechanically operatedtime delay system that allows the operator of the invention to controlthe amount of time between allowable release of products. The operatorof the machine can control the amount of time from a minimum of one (1)second between allowable release of feminine product to thirty (30)seconds between allowable release of feminine product.

The present invention is unique because it contains a pushbutton releasecoupled with a mechanical delay. Electronic delays are known in theprior art. However, these require batteries or power to operate. Themechanical delay of the present invention is unique because it preventsa user from emptying the machine of free products within a short periodof time without the use of an electronic delay.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides amechanically operated time delay coupled with a pushbutton releasewithout requiring a user to twist or apply torque to any portion of themachine to obtain the dispensed feminine product.

The mechanical functioning components of the present invention and theproducts to be dispensed are primarily found within the presentinvention's cabinet interior. The external components of the presentinvention such as the release tray and the moveable pushbuttons arefound on the front of the invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to holdand dispense two products and comply with The Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) requirements. These two products are sanitarynapkins and tampons but it is within the spirit and scope of thisinvention for this machine to have the capability to dispense similarlysized products. The pushbutton release mechanisms used to release thesetwo products are the same.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apredominantly mechanical device for dispensing feminine products thatdoes not require the rotation of a handle. This can be difficult orimpossible for individuals with physical limitations.

It is an additional object of the present invention to allow theoperator or owner of the present invention to control the amount of timebetween allowable release of a product. Since this present invention isdesigned to be for a free product, it is desirable for there to be atime delay between the release of products. This is done to prevent auser from taking all of the products from the machine in a short amountof time.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a simplemechanical device that dispenses feminine products for free with a timedelay that is not electronic. This mechanical time delay, as opposed toan electronic time delay, allows the present invention to functionwithout the need of batteries or power. This reduces the cost ofoperation and maintenance.

Further novel features and other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, discussion andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustrationonly and not limitation, there is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the present invention with thedoor to the invention in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention with thedoor to the invention open;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention with thedoor to the invention open and the invention rotated approximately 45degrees from the view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a zoomed in front perspective view of the present inventionwith the door to the invention open;

FIG. 5 is a zoomed in front perspective view of the lower internalcomponents of the present invention without the cabinet;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the front face plate with respectivepushbuttons, push rods, push rod connectors, and push compressionsprings;

FIG. 7 is a zoomed in view of the left pinon gear rotated after leftpushbutton has been pressed with left plunger temporarily affixed to aleft timing plate,

FIG. 8 is a zoomed in view of the right pinon gear rotated after leftpushbutton has been pressed with left plunger temporarily affixed to aleft timing plate,

FIG. 9 is cross sectional view A-A as shown in FIG. 5 that shows leftplunger temporarily affixed to left timing plate and a threaded screwinserted to a maximum distance to create the longest delay for theresetting of left pushbutton; and

FIG. 10 is a partial view of cross section B-B as shown in FIG. 5 thatshows right plunger in the initial condition prior to the rightpushbutton being pressed by user and right timing plate and rightthreaded screw inserted to a maximum distance to create the longestdelay for the resetting of the right pushbutton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, it should be understood thatsuch embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative ofbut a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which canrepresent applications of the principles of the present invention.Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art towhich the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit,scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined inthe appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a front elevationalview of the present invention time delay product dispenser 10 with itsfront door 19 closed. The present invention is comprised of internalcomponents contained within cabinet 8. There is a left internal systemwhich functions independently but identically to the right internalsystem. The left internal system allows a user to access sanitarynapkins and the right internal system allows a user to access tampons.

Cabinet 8 is comprised of a top panel 14, a left side panel 9, a rightside panel 16, a bottom panel 3 with a bottom release tray 20, a frontpanel 15, and a back panel 18. Located towards the bottom of front panel15 on front face 12 of front panel 15 there is front face plate 22.Front face plate 22 has a left pushbutton 24 to release sanitary napkinsand a right pushbutton 124 to release tampons. Located directly aboveleft pushbutton 24 on front face plate 22 is a left window 34.Similarly, located directly above right pushbutton 124 on front faceplate 22 is a right window 134. During operation a user has the abilityto press in left pushbutton 24 to release a sanitary napkin or to pressin right pushbutton 124 to release a tampon.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated the present invention timedelay product dispenser 10 in the open position with front panel 15pivoted outward. Within time delay product dispenser 10 is sanitarynapkin rack 600 and tampon rack 700. Sanitary napkin rack 600 has asanitary napkin rack back 602, sanitary napkin rack left side 604,sanitary napkin rack right side 606, a sanitary napkin rack front 608,and sanitary napkin rack bottom 610. Tampon rack 700 has a tampon rackback 702, tampon rack left side 704, tampon rack right side 706, atampon rack front 708, and tampon rack bottom 710.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, rear face plate 42 is affixed to backsurface 17 of front panel 15 by eight (8) screws 110. Screws 110 alsoaffix front face plate 22 to front panel 15. Only six of the eightscrews are illustrated in FIG. 3.

Sanitary Napkin Dispensing

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, inside time delay product dispenser 10 andnear bottom release tray 20 (see FIG. 1) is left horizontal support rod224 which is supported on the left end by left end support 420 and onthe right end by center support 440. Left horizontal support rod 224(also called left horizontal support member) passes through the centerof left pinon gear 204 and provides an axis by which left pinon gear 204may rotate in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction. First leftwing 208 and left pinon gear 204 are prevented from rotating past theinitial resting condition in the counterclockwise direction by leftstopper post 430. Similarly, first right wing 308 and right pinon gear304 are prevented from rotating past the initial resting condition inthe counterclockwise direction by right stopper post 530. (The wings arealso called sanitary napkin members.)

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, during operation when a user presses leftpushbutton 24 (also called left activation member) inwards towards thecenter of time delay product dispenser 10, left push rod 104 locatedinside of left housing 108, which is integrally affixed to leftpushbutton 24 by left push rod connector 84 (see FIG. 6), simultaneouslymoves inwards towards the center of time delay product dispenser 10.Referring to FIG. 6, when left push rod 104 moves inwards, thissimultaneously causes left push rod teeth 114 that are interlocked withleft pinon gear teeth 214 of left pinion gear 204 to rotate in theclockwise direction and left push compression spring 94 to compress.Integrally affixed to left pinon gear 204 is first left wing 208 andsecond left wing 210. First left wing 208 has a first left wing frontsurface 212 that is in direct contact with lowest sanitary napkin 500.Similarly, second left wing 210 has a second left wing front surface 216that is also in direct contact with lowest sanitary napkin 500. Thus,when left pushbutton 24 is pressed in towards the center of time delayproduct dispenser 10 to a distance of approximately 0.5 inches thiscauses left pinion gear 204 to rotate approximately 20 degrees whichcauses first left wing 208 and second left wing 210 to push lowestsanitary napkin 500 off sanitary napkin rack 600 and on to bottomrelease tray 20.

When lowest sanitary napkin 500 has been pushed off sanitary napkin rackbottom 610, second lowest sanitary napkin 502 is pushed down by theweight of sanitary napkin weight 650 and becomes lowest sanitary napkin500. This process is repeated until all of the sanitary napkins areremoved from time delay product dispenser 10. When all of the sanitarynapkins are removed from time delay product dispenser 10, sanitarynapkin weight front face 652 displays through window 34 and reads“Empty” to signal to the user that this product is no longer available.

Referring to FIG. 5, left horizontal support rod 224 and left verticalplunger rod 228 are affixed to left pinon gear 204. Affixed to thedistal end of left vertical plunger rod 228 is left plunger 230. Whenleft pushbutton 24 is pressed in towards the center of time delayproduct dispenser 10 to a distance of approximately 0.5 inches thiscauses left pinion gear 204 to rotate approximately 20 degrees. Thisaction further causes left vertical plunger rod 228 and left plunger 230to displace downwards and cause left plunger 230 to be temporarilyaffixed to left timing plate 280 (as shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 9).Left timing plate 280 is affixed to bottom panel 3 of cabinet 8 by two(2) screws 111. Left timing plate 280 has a left top surface 282 thatcontains a top circular hole 284 that is directly connected to leftinterior chamber 286. Left timing plate 280 also has a left frontsurface 288 that has a left front circular hole 290 (see FIG. 7) thatconnects to left interior chamber 286. Within left interior chamber 286,adjacent to left front circular hole 290, are left internal threads 291that receive left threaded screw 294. Left interior chamber 286 alsocontains left interior endwall 296 that acts as a stopper for leftthreaded screw 294. While left plunger 230 is temporarily affixed toleft timing plate 280, left pushbutton 24 is not operational. Leftplunger 230 must be in the air and/or elevated and not temporarilyaffixed to left timing plate 280 for left pushbutton 24 to beoperational.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 9, the operator of this machine has theability to increase or decrease the amount of time between leftpushbutton 24 resetting, becoming operational when left plunger 230 isreleased and no longer temporarily affixed to left timing plate 280. Theamount of time that left plunger 230 is temporarily affixed to lefttiming plate 280 is controlled by the amount of air within left interiorchamber 286. The greater the amount of air located in left interiorchamber 286, the shorter the time period that left plunger 230 will beaffixed to left timing plate 280. The operator of the machine has theability to increase or decrease the amount of air within left interiorchamber 286 by tightening or loosening left threaded screw 294. Whenleft threaded screw 294 is entirely inserted into interior chamber 286,the reset time for left pushbutton 24 to become operational again is ata maximum which is approximately 30 seconds. When left threaded screw294 is entirely removed from left interior chamber 236 the reset timefor left pushbutton 24 to become operational again is at a minimum whichis approximately one (1) second. The operator has the ability to controlthe amount of time between left pushbutton 24 resetting by the amount ofair inside left interior chamber 286 which is controlled by how far leftthreaded screw 294 is inserted into left interior chamber 286 by use ofleft internal threads 291.

When left pushbutton 24 has been pressed and left pinion gear 204 hasbeen rotated approximately 20 degrees in the clockwise direction tocause left plunger 230 to come in contact with left timing plate 280,left tension spring 215 is also put in tension. In this state there aretwo rotational forces being applied to left pinion gear 204. There is aclockwise force being applied by left plunger 230 and a counterclockwiseforce being applied by left tension spring 215. After enough air haspassed under left plunger 230 to reduce the affixing force between leftplunger 230 and left timing plate 280, the counterclockwise rotationalforce of left tension spring 215 becomes the more dominant force andcauses first left wing 208, left pinion gear 204, and second left wing210 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction and thus returning leftpushbutton 24 to reset or to be returned to its initial startingcondition and become ready for use by a user.

Tampon Dispensing

Referring to FIG. 5, inside time delay product dispenser 10 and nearbottom release tray 20 is right horizontal support rod 324 which issupported on the right end by right end support 520 and on the left endby center support 440. Right horizontal support rod 324 passes throughthe center of right pinon gear 304 and provides an axis by which rightpinon gear 304 may rotate in the clockwise and counterclockwisedirection. First right wing 308 and right pinon gear 304 are preventedfrom rotating past the initial resting condition in the counterclockwisedirection by right stopper post 530.

Referring to FIG. 4, during operation when a user presses rightpushbutton 124 (also called right activation member) inwards towards thecenter of time delay product dispenser 10, right push rod 154 locatedinside of right housing 158, which is integrally affixed to rightpushbutton 124 by right push rod connector 144, simultaneously movesinwards towards the center of time delay product dispenser 10. Whenright push rod 154 moves inwards, this simultaneously causes right pushrod teeth 164 that are interlocked with right pinon gear teeth 314 ofright pinion gear 304 to rotate in the clockwise direction and causesright push compression spring 144 to compress. Integrally affixed toright pinon gear 304 is first right wing 308 and second right wing 310(see FIG. 4). First right wing 308 has a first right wing front surface312 that is in direct contact with lowest tampon 701. Similarly, secondright wing 310 has a second right wing front surface 316 that is also indirect contact with lowest tampon 701 (also called tampon member).Therefore, when right pushbutton 124 is pressed in towards the center oftime delay product dispenser 10 to a distance of approximately 0.5inches this causes right pinion gear 304 to rotate approximately 20degrees which causes first right wing 308 and second right wing 310 topush lowest tampon 701 off tampon rack 700 and on to bottom release tray20.

When lowest tampon 701 has been pushed off tampon rack bottom 710,second lowest tampon 703 is pushed down by the weight of tampon weight750 and becomes lowest tampon 701. This process is repeated until all ofthe tampons are removed from time delay product dispenser 10. When allof the tampons are removed from time delay product dispenser 10 tamponweight front face 752 displays through right window 134 and reads“Empty” to signal to the user that this product is no longer available.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 10, right horizontal support rod 324 andright vertical plunger rod 328 are affixed to right pinon gear 304.Affixed to the distal end of right vertical plunger rod 328 is rightplunger 330. When right pushbutton 124 is pressed in towards the centerof time delay product dispenser 10 to a distance of approximately 0.5inches this causes right pinion gear 304 to rotate approximately 20degrees. This action further causes right vertical plunger rod 328 andright plunger 330 to displace downwards and cause right plunger 330 tobe temporarily affixed to right timing plate 380 (see FIGS. 8 and 10).Right timing plate 380 affixed to bottom panel 3 of cabinet 8 by two (2)screws 111. Right timing plate 380 has a right top surface 382 thatcontains a right top circular hole 384 that is directly connected toright interior chamber 386. Right timing plate 380 also has a rightfront surface 388 that has a right front circular hole 390 that connectsto right interior chamber 386. Within right interior chamber 386,adjacent to right front circular hole 390 (see FIG. 10), are rightinternal threads 391 that receive right threaded screw 394. Rightinterior chamber 386 also contains right interior endwall 396 that actsas a stopper for right threaded screw 394. While right plunger 330 istemporarily affixed to right timing plate 380, right pushbutton 124 isnot operational. Right plunger 330 must be in the air and/or elevatedand not temporarily affixed to right timing plate 380 for rightpushbutton 124 to be operational.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 10, the operator of this machine has theability to increase or decrease the amount of time between rightpushbutton 124 resetting and becoming operational when right plunger 330is released and no longer temporarily affixed to timing plate 380. Theamount of time that right plunger 330 is temporarily affixed to righttiming plate 380 is controlled by the amount of air within interiorchamber 386. The greater the amount of air located within right interiorchamber 386, the shorter the time period that plunger 330 will beaffixed to right timing plate 380. The operator of the machine has theability to increase or decrease the amount of air within right interiorchamber 386 by tightening or loosening right threaded screw 394. Whenright threaded screw 394 is entirely inserted into right interiorchamber 386, the reset time for right pushbutton 124 to becomeoperational again is at a maximum which is approximately 30 seconds.When right threaded screw 394 is entirely removed from right interiorchamber 336 the reset time for right pushbutton 124 to becomeoperational again is at a minimum which is approximately one (1) second.The operator has the ability to control the amount of time between rightpushbutton 124 resetting by the amount of air inside right interiorchamber 386 which is controlled by how far right threaded screw 394 isinserted into right interior chamber 386 by use of right internalthreads 391.

When right pushbutton 124 has been pressed and right pinion gear 304 hasbeen rotated approximately 20 degrees in the clockwise direction tocause right plunger 330 to come in contact with right timing plate 380,right tension spring 315 is also put in tension. In this state there aretwo rotational forces being applied to right pinion gear 304. There is aclockwise force being applied by right plunger 330 and acounterclockwise force being applied by right tension spring 315. Afterenough air has passed under right plunger 330 to reduce the affixingforce between right plunger 330 and right timing plate 380, thecounterclockwise rotational force of right tension spring 315 becomesthe more dominant force and causes first right wing 308, right piniongear 304, and second right wing 310 to rotate in the counterclockwisedirection and thus returning right pushbutton 124 to reset or to bereturned to its initial starting condition and become ready for use by auser.

Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to anyparticular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or anyspecific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified invarious particulars or relations without departing from the spirit orscope of the claimed invention herein above shown and described of whichthe apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration anddisclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the variousforms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied oroperated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to retain and dispense feminineproducts, the apparatus comprising: a. a cabinet comprising a top panel,a left side panel, a right side panel, a front panel, a back panel, anda bottom panel with said bottom panel having a bottom release tray; b.said front panel comprising a front face, a front face plate with saidfront face plate having a left pushbutton and a right pushbutton; c. asanitary napkin rack and a tampon rack with said sanitary napkin rackhaving a sanitary napkin rack back, a sanitary napkin rack left side, asanitary napkin rack right side, a sanitary napkin rack front, and asanitary napkin rack bottom, and said tampon rack having a tampon rackback, a tampon rack left side, a tampon rack right side, a tampon rackfront, and a tampon rack bottom; d. a left horizontal support rod thatis affixed through a center of a left pinion gear and a right horizontalsupport rod that is affixed through a center of a right pinion gear; e.said left horizontal support rod is affixed at a distal end to a leftplunger and said right horizontal support rod is affixed at a distal endto a right plunger; f. said bottom panel having a left timing plate anda right timing plate affixed to said bottom panel; g. said left timingplate having a left top surface and a left front surface with said lefttop surface having a left top circular hole that is directly connectedto a left interior chamber; h. said right timing plate having a righttop surface and a right front surface with said right top surface havinga right top circular hole that is directly connected to a right interiorchamber; i. said left interior chamber having left internal threadsadjacent to a left front circular hole and said right interior chamberhaving right internal threads adjacent to a right front circular hole;j. said left timing plate configured to enable said left interiorchamber to be decreased in size as a left threaded screw engages saidleft internal threads and is further inserted into said left frontcircular hole with a suction release timing on said left plunger that isincreased as a volume of air in the left interior chamber is reduced asthe left threaded screw is threaded further into the left timing plate;and k. said right timing plate configured to enable said right interiorchamber to be decreased in size as a right threaded screw engages saidright internal threads and is further inserted into said right frontcircular hole with a suction release timing on said right plunger thatis increased as a volume of air in the right interior chamber is reducedas the right threaded screw is threaded further into the right timingplate; l. whereby, when the left pushbutton is pressed in towards acenter of said cabinet, a left push rod moves causing teeth on said leftpush rod to engage teeth on said left pinion gear causing a first leftwing and a second left wing to rotate and push a lowest sanitary napkinoff said sanitary napkin rack and onto said bottom release tray whilecausing a left vertical plunger rod and said left plunger to displacedownwards and cause said left plunger to be temporarily affixed to saidleft timing plate, with a length of time to reset the left pushbutton todispense another sanitary napkin dependent on the suction release timingof the left plunger before it is released; m. whereby, when the rightpushbutton is pressed in towards the center of said cabinet, a rightpush rod moves causing teeth on said right push rod to engage teeth onsaid right pinion gear causing a first right wing and a second rightwing to rotate and push a lowest tampon off said tampon rack and ontosaid bottom release tray while causing a right vertical plunger rod andsaid right plunger to displace downwards and cause said right plunger tobe temporarily affixed to said right timing plate, with a length of timeto reset the right pushbutton to dispense another tampon is dependent onthe suction release timing of the right plunger before it is released.2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a. saidleft plunger is temporarily affixed to said left timing plate for aperiod of time between one second to thirty seconds; and b. said rightplunger is temporarily affixed to said right timing plate for a periodof time between one second to thirty seconds.